An organisation for Bermuda’s Jewish population has called for strength and unity after an attack and declaration of war in Israel.

Fiona Elkinson, of The Jewish Community of Bermuda, said that all members of the organisation were “shocked to the core” after Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, invaded Israel over the weekend and killed hundreds of civilians and soldiers.

“We’ve seen terrible things online,” Ms Elkinson said. “This afternoon, I just watched a young Israeli girl get burnt to death while screaming.

“It’s horrific, it’s terrifying and it’s barbaric.”

She added: “Let’s unite, stand together and be strong against terrorism.

“We’ll get through this. We’re strong if we stand together.”

Ms Elkinson was speaking after the charity held a vigil on Monday night in recognition of the lives lost.

The vigil, held at the community’s headquarters on St John’s Road in Pembroke, was attended by Rena Lalgie, the Governor, and two bishops, as well as the Deputy US Consul and the visiting Canadian Consul.

Ms Elkinson said that many members of the community were “overwhelmed” and “very heartbroken”, with plenty expressing a desire to take action.

She said that many felt a sense of solidarity and collective heartbreak for those who died in Israel, even if they did not have family in the area.

Ms Elkinson added that she wanted her community to feel a sense of solidarity, both within themselves and with others across the island.

She explained: “Eight hundred civilians were murdered. It’s a huge amount.

“We just want a feeling of unity and solidarity.”

Ms Elkinson said that she had received condolences from several groups, including the Commissioner of Police and several Christian ministers.

She added that she would speak with police as the Jewish Community of Bermuda put on more events, though she stressed that members of the community did not feel any sense of danger because of their backgrounds.

War was declared over the weekend after Hamas launched an invasion of Israel on October 7, the first day of the Jewish holiday Sukkot.

The group fired more than 5,000 missiles at the country that morning and attacked both military bases and civilian areas, including an outdoor music festival near the village of Re’im.

The offensives resulted in hundreds soldiers and civilians being killed or taken as hostages, and thousands more wounded. Among those targeted were foreigners from Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Binyamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, responded by declaring war and launching a counterstrike on the Gaza Strip, a stretch of land that is highly contested between Israel and Palestinians, from where Hamas operates.

Israeli airstrikes in the densely populated area have levelled both strategic military targets and infrastructure such as mosques, housing blocks and hospitals.

The Israeli Government has also announced a blockade that would cut food, fuel and electricity to the Gaza Strip – a move that has been condemned as a war crime by collectively punishing the civilian population.

The conflict marks the first time that Israel has declared a state of war since the Yom Kippur War of 1973.